In nine games against the Packers, Detroit wide receiver Calvin Johnson (left) has 50 receptions for 801 yards (16.02) and 10 TDs.

Lions are in 4-way tie for ninth-best record in NFC

GAME-BREAKER

The last time WR Calvin Johnson played the Packers, he caught 11 passes for 244 yards and one TD. That was the most receiving yards ever against Green Bay. In nine games against the Packers, Johnson has 50 receptions for 801 yards (16.02) and 10 TDs. His average game has been 5.6 catches for 89 yards and one score. Despite missing some practice time with various injuries, "Megatron" shows up each week and torments defenses. He leads the NFL in receiving yards (974) and is tied for seventh in receptions (60). However, he has merely two TDs.

WEAKEST LINK

Detroit's special teams were among the best in the NFL from 1997-2006 under coach Chuck Priefer. Following the retirement of Priefer in January 2007, a Green Bay assistant in 1984-'85, the Lions began to slip. During three seasons under Stan Kwan, an assistant to Priefer, the Lions ranked 25th, 19th and 25th in the Dallas Morning News' annual ratings. Under Danny Crossman, they were 15th in 2010 and 31st last year and rank near the bottom again this season. Opponents already have returned two punts and two kickoffs for TDs, Nick Harris' punting has been disappointing and return man Stefan Logan has been mediocre.

McGINN'S VIEW

Following Barry Sanders' startling decision to retire after the 1998 season, the Lions basically decided to eradicate running the ball from their offensive playbook.

The Lions have an impressive young back in Mikel Leshoure, but they've shown little inclination to balance their attack. They've rushed on 34.4% of their plays, well off the NFL average of 41.9%.

It's nothing new. Since rushing 42.3% of the time in 2005, they've been under 40% each year since.

From 1989-'98, Sanders surpassed 100 yards 11 times against the Packers. In the last 13 seasons, three Detroit runners have gone over 100 against them: James Stewart, 2000 and '02; and Kevin Jones, '04.

Jones led the club in rushing four times (2004-'07) in the post-Sanders era and Stewart led the way three times (2000-'02). Other leaders were Greg Hill ('99), Shawn Bryson ('03), Kevin Smith (2008-'09) and Jahvid Best (2010-'11).

Suspended for the first two games, Leshoure has averaged 59.7 yards in seven games. He's big, fast and athletic. But until coordinator Scott Linehan commits to the run, this offense will remain imbalanced.

"They have people who can run the ball, but that's not Linehan's mentality at all," one personnel man said. "That makes them one-dimensional, and the first thing defenses do then is take Calvin Johnson out of the mix."

Green Bay - Mike McCarthy is 11-1 against the Detroit Lions in his six seasons as coach of the Green Bay Packers.

On Sunday, the Lions could be more aroused than any Detroit team that McCarthy has faced when the two teams meet at Ford Field.

"They've got a desperate situation," an executive in personnel said Tuesday in reference to the Lions. "They've got a chance to make a statement now with Green Bay. If they can take care of business here, they're right back in the mix. If not, they can kiss it goodbye."

At 4-5, the Lions are in a four-way tie for the ninth-best record in the NFC. Another defeat coupled with a difficult remaining schedule could leave the Lions playing out the string with a month to go.

The scout predicted that the Lions, a 3 1/2-point underdog, would upset the Packers, 24-17.

"I see a lot of pressure on Aaron Rodgers," he said. "The defense got embarrassed by (Minnesota's Adrian) Peterson running through them last week so I'm pretty sure they're not going to give up anything running.

"Green Bay will come out and throw the ball about 45 times, and that will play into this defensive line's hands. This may be (Ndamukong) Suh's coming-out game."

The Lions, according to the scout, have underachieved this season after having gone 14-7 from late 2010 through the playoff loss in New Orleans.

"Like most teams, there are some deficiencies at certain positions," he said. "Overall, this certainly is a talent-rich team. It's execution or game-planning why they're not winning the games they should be winning."

Rodgers is 7-1 against Detroit. In the 2010 defeat (7-3) at Ford Field, he missed the second half with a concussion.

"I think they'll have a hard time stopping Rodgers, I really do," a defensive assistant for a recent Lions' opponent said. "I like Green Bay by 30-24."

Another scout called it 35-21 for the Packers.

"Because of the Bears and where they are, I think the Packers have in mind that they're going to run the table," he said. "That's what I think they feel they need to do.

"The inner fiber of that team (Detroit), I'm concerned about that. Maybe they'll rise up and put it together, but I'm not sure they'll be as mentally tough or prepared as the Packers will be."

OFFENSE

SCHEME

Coordinator Scott Linehan, in his fourth season, calls the plays. In lieu of a FB, Linehan is using rookie T Riley Reiff in multiple ways: TE, H-back and sixth O-lineman. He motions, traps and kicks out. It's a change-up from Linehan's spread-'em-out philosophy. The Lions rank second in yards (406.1), tied for 12th in giveaways (14) and 13th in points (24.0).

RECEIVERS

The attack revolves around Calvin Johnson (6-5, 236), one of the NFL's greatest athletes and possibly finest WR. Johnson is most dangerous on vertical routes from outside because of his 42½-inch vertical jump and 4.35 speed in the 40-yard dash. As the years go by, he has become more effective running possession routes from the slot. Nate Burleson, the other starter, suffered a season-ending leg injury in Game 6. Moving up were Titus Young (5-11½, 174) and rookie Ryan Broyles (5-10, 188), and former Jaguar Mike Thomas (5-8, 198) arrived Oct. 31 from Jacksonville for a fifth-round pick. Young, a second-round choice in '11, is quick, fast (4.41) and has excellent hands. He works inside without fear, but the heavy-duty work from the slot has fallen to Broyles, another second-round choice. He's quicker than fast and also has sure hands. Tough and fast, Thomas was the Jaguars' top receiver in 2010-'11. Brandon Pettigrew (6-5½, 265), the 20th pick in '09, is one of the NFL's best blocking TEs and a huge, inviting target. He runs OK, too, but is dropping too many passes. Veterans Tony Scheffler (6-5½, 255) and Will Heller (6-6, 275) play a lot. Scheffler, 29, still can run the seam and adjust to bad balls. Heller, 31, is a dependable effort player.

OFFENSIVE LINE

This unit, the same since '10, has had the same five starters for all nine games. RT Gosder Cherilus (6-6½, 325), the 17th pick in '08, has improved. He mauls for the run game, has found consistency as a pass blocker and has cut back on his chippiness. He has huge hands (11¾ inches), long arms and good quickness. LT Jeff Backus (6-5½, 305), a 12-year starter, played well against Minnesota's Jared Allen Sunday. He lacks some balance, power and punch, but his initial quickness surprisingly remains. LG Rob Sims (6-2½, 312), a former Seahawk, is solid. He's tough, athletic enough and doesn't blow assignments. However, he will play high and get walked back. C Dominic Raiola (6-2, 285), an 11-year starter, contributes more mentally and vocally than physically. He's light, shows vulnerability against both power and speed and shouldn't be left one-on-one. RG Stephen Peterman (6-4, 323), a six-year starter, has a bad body, bends at the waist and gets beats too much in protection. He is highly aggressive and knows just what to do. Reiff (6-5½, 313), the 23rd pick, probably should be starting at RG as he waits taking over at LT. He has shown promise in an expanding role off the bench.

QUARTERBACKS

Matthew Stafford (6-2½, 232) ranks 18th in passer rating at 85.4 after ranking fifth last year at 97.2. Just 24, Stafford hasn't missed a game since '10 and owns a 17-21 record. He has a big arm and likes to show it off. His touch is just average. Linehan is a stickler on getting the ball out, and some of Stafford's poor decisions stem from what he's being taught. Some opponents say Stafford hasn't been standing strong in the pocket of late. He has rushed some passes off-balance and from his back foot. He's bright (35 on the Wonderlic intelligence test) and ran 4.82 entering the NFL in '09, but slides awkwardly and isn't eager about running. Resourceful Shaun Hill (6-3, 220) is a top-notch backup.

RUNNING BACKS

Mikel Leshoure (5-11½, 233), a second-round pick in '11, usually runs hard inside and is making better reads. He runs 4.59 and can make people miss. Free agent Joique Bell (5-11, 220) plays extensively because he's a better receiver and pass blocker. Bell is slow (4.69) but does know how to pound. One-time starter Kevin Smith (6-1, 217) is an excellent No. 3.

DEFENSE

SCHEME

Fourth-year coordinator Gunther Cunningham, 66, also coached with Jim Schwartz in Tennessee. The Lions run a wide-DE, one-gap, attacking style of 4-3 defense. Despite not having physical CBs, Cunningham has played more Cover 2 than his standard Man Free. He relies mostly on four-man rushes. The Lions rank 10th in yards (329.7), 23rd in points (24.7) and tied for 26th in takeaways (10).

DEFENSIVE LINE

LDT Ndamukong Suh (6-4, 305) can be too powerful and quick for even top guards, but his production hasn't matched his ability. He can stuff or split double-teams against the run but doesn't always fight them. He isn't playing with the same intensity, either, which shows in his hit-or-miss pursuit. Iffy with a sore knee, former Packer RDT Corey Williams (6-3½, 320) is stout against the run and must be accounted for as a rusher, too. DTs Nick Fairley (6-4, 298), the 13th pick in '11, and Sammie Hill (6-4, 335) give Detroit a formidable four-man rotation. The long-armed Fairley is so talented he can beat two blockers and chase down many QBs. His fundamentals need work, and he gives in too often. Hill, 26, is quick for his size and a threat rushing the passer. LE Cliff Avril (6-3, 260), a four-year starter, is iffy with a head injury. The compact Avril works hard, runs well and has a decent burst. RE Kyle Vanden Bosch (6-3½, 278) turns 34 Sunday and still plays with reckless abandon but seems to be less disruptive with each passing game. Backup DEs Lawrence Jackson (6-4, 271) and Willie Young (6-5, 251) contribute. Jackson is a calculating type of rusher who might be effective if he ever just turned it loose. Young flies off the edge; his production is down.

LINEBACKERS

SLB Justin Durant (6-1, 240), MLB Stephen Tulloch (5-10½, 240) and WLB DeAndre Levy (6-2, 238) are of comparable value. Durant, a starter in Jacksonville from 2007-'10, is fast, hard to knock off his pins and reacts well in zone coverage. He is much less effective at the point of attack and at times gets engulfed by lead blockers. Tulloch, a starter in Tennessee from 2008-'10, is a much better player than athlete. He's smart (28 on the Wonderlic), rugged and aware. Because Tulloch doesn't run well, teams seek to exploit him in coverage. Levy, who played at Milwaukee Vincent and Wisconsin, is starting for a fourth season and is having his best year. He's a run-and-hit type. Scouts love his aggressiveness but say he plays out of control at times and misses a few too many tackles.

SECONDARY

Yet again, the position is a mess. Starting safeties Louis Delmas (knee), the team's best DB, and so-so Amari Spievey (concussion) don't figure to play. SS Erik Coleman (5-10½, 207) has started 90 games for the Jets, Falcons and Lions because he's a top-notch leader and can run a secondary. But, at 30, he probably couldn't break 4.7 and is fortunate to be in the league. FS Ricardo Silva (6-1½, 225), a free agent from Hampton (Va.) in '11, is a competitive tough guy much better suited to play near the line than deep. His 4.6 speed makes him vulnerable in coverage. CB Drayton Florence (6-0, 193) probably will be activated this week from designated injured reserve, where he has been since Sept. 19 (broken arm). The gambling Florence, 31, has lost speed and is near the end, but given what's available he could play extensively. LC Chris Houston (5-10, 178), a former Falcons starter, and Jacob Lacey (5-10, 177), a former Colts starter, are two peas in a pod. They're finesse players with enough athleticism to reroute WRs but not enough speed to run deep. They're also timid tacklers. Rookie Jonte Green (5-11, 184), a sixth-round pick, is quick but just so-so in run support and recognizing routes. Former Packer/Raider Pat Lee (6-0, 200) is a zone CB only.

SPECIAL TEAMS

K Jason Hanson, 42, is 18 for 20. P Nick Harris, 34, was re-signed Sept. 25 and has a weak leg. KR-PR Stefan Logan is slumping. Coverage has been poor.

About Bob McGinn

Bob McGinn is a beat writer and columnist covering the Green Bay Packers. A six-time Wisconsin state sportswriter of the year, he won the Dick McCann Memorial Award in 2011 for long and distinguished reporting on pro football.